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So, you hate kids, and you love murder?

I’ve written before about my frustration listening to people arguing over political issues. Please understand: political issues are important–by definition they are about people. But the way people are going about trying to deal with these important issues is obviously causing more damage. If you are a Christian and you are on the left or the right–you are on the wrong plane! Our Lord put us here to help those who are not reconciled to God become reconciled to Him. Nothing is more important. That said, our Lord and King has answers to these pressing questions dividing people today. The only reason we Christians don’t see that is (you have to forgive me, right?): We won’t shut up and listen!

Here’s the current example of what I mean. In the past few days I have read probably 20 articles from different perspectives (rarely even close to objective or balanced) on the immigration issue as it affects children being separated from their parents. Here’s what I hear: The left is totally deaf to the concerns of the right. The right is totally deaf to the concerns of the left. The left actually believes people on the right hate children (or at least don’t care about them). The right actually believes people on the left actually think it is ok for just anyone to enter the US–including the most violent and dangerous people who sometimes use children as a means of entering the country.

I seriously doubt either side is accurate in their beliefs about the other. I also doubt either is accurately representing the truth in support of their own views. I KNOW THEY AREN’T LISTENING TO EACH OTHER.

If you are one of those who is frustrated with “those people”, please consider this. They aren’t all stupid. They aren’t all naive. They aren’t all evil. They are real people with real and valid concerns. So here’s a thought. What if we all agree that hurting children is a bad thing, and letting violent people into the country is a bad thing? Just agree on that much. Then, before going back to yell at the other side that they should accept your view of what should happen now, make sure any solution you support actually addresses BOTH of these bad things.

I suspect we have enough people who care and are fairly intelligent that if they actually listen to each other and then commit to solving BOTH concerns (yeah, I’m starting to raise my voice), some solution could be found.

If this doesn’t happen, things can get worse–and they will.

One more thing. I serve a person who has the answers. Real, applicable, relevant answers. Consider listening to him before you go back to your positions–or even before trying to solve these twin problems. If you don’t, you will just frustrate yourself and further alienate others.